a fixed point of statement or to a special class of subjects,
as when we speak of the definition of _terms_, that is of the
key-_words_ in any discussion; or we say, that is a legal or scientific
_term_. Compare BOUNDARY; DICTION.

* * * * *

TERSE.

Synonyms:

brief, concise, neat, short,
compact, condensed, pithy, succinct.
compendious, laconic, sententious,

Anything _short_ or _brief_ is of relatively small extent. That which is
_concise_ (L. _con-_, with, together, and _caedo_, cut) is trimmed down,
and that which is _condensed_ (L. _con-_, with, together, and _densus_,
thick) is, as it were, pressed together, so as to include as much as
possible within a small space. That which is _compendious_ (L. _com-_,
together, and _pendo_, weigh) gathers the substance of a matter into a
few words, weighty and effective. The _succinct_ (L. _succinctus_, from
_sub-_, under, and _cingo_, gird; girded from below) has an alert
effectiveness as if girded for action. The _summary_ is compacted to the
utmost, often to the point of abruptness; as, we speak of a _summary_
statement or a _summary_ dismissal. That which is _terse_ (L. _tersus_,
from _tergo_, rub off) has an elegant and finished completeness within
the smallest possible compass, as if rubbed or polished down to the
utmost. A _sententious_ style is one abounding in sentences that are
singly striking or memorable, apart from the context; the word may be
used invidiously of that which is pretentiously oracular. A _pithy_
utterance gives the gist of a matter effectively, whether in rude or
elegant style.

Antonyms:

diffuse, lengthy, long, prolix, tedious, verbose, wordy.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY.

Synonyms:

affidavit, attestation, deposition, proof,
affirmation, certification, evidence, witness.

_Testimony_, in legal as well as in common use, signifies the statements
of witnesses. _Deposition_ and _affidavit_ denote _testimony_ reduced to
writing; the _deposition_ differs from the _affidavit_ in that the
latter is voluntary and without cross-examination, while the former is
made under interrogatories and subject to cross-examination. _Evidence_
is a broader term, including the _testimony_ of witnesses and all facts
of every kind that tend to prove a thing true; we have the _testimony_
of a traveler that a fugitive passed this way; hi